Welcome to the

Chemistry Department

Webpage.

By studying Chemistry students can open up a wide range of careers that offer both a rewarding and innovative occupation and one that will be in demand regardless of the economical situation. Chemistry is key to many fascinating careers but requires hard work and a willingness to learn.

When a student considers if they would like to study Chemistry at A level they should consider the following:

Have they a career in mind that is science based?

Have they an acceptable level of mathematical skills?

Do they enjoy laboratory practical work?

Can they focus on attention to detail?

Can they consider areas that may not be easy to visualise?

Do they enjoy problem solving and working with graphs/tables of data?

Shimna Chemistry Department

At Shimna Integrated College we offer the opportunity to study AS and A2 chemistry. Our department provides strong support to the students with a healthy balance of theory and practical activities. Students studying the course participate in numerous lab practicals that are specifically aimed to consolidate learning in class. The activities focus on applying the students understanding and developing key lab skills required for a future career in the sciences. Chemistry is a popular choice at A-level in Shimna, with the class being oversubscribed again this year.

Students are very keen and regularly volunteer for extracurricular activities. During open day our A-level students showcase some of their advanced level practicals. Students are keen to demonstrate their new skills to visitors and are rightly proud of their success.

A2 chemistry students run a mentoring programme where they set aside one hour per week to tutor AS students through areas of difficulty. In addition several A- level students run an after school chemistry club which is very popular with KS3 and 4 students alike. The club is regularly oversubscribed.

About the Department.

The department runs courses in small, well managed classes. Classes are all ability, but there is a provision that students can demonstrate the required skills to participate successfully. Students are set homework on a daily basis to assist them in their learning. Staff use an online virtual learning centre to provide support materials which are designed to aid the learner prepare for exams. Regular contact is maintained by school email between students and their teacher.

The chemistry lab is well resourced with high quality lessons, chemistry software packages that provide enhanced learning activities and an ever growing collection of chemistry lab apparatus. Our department has a class set of laptops which are linked to our wireless broadband. Students learn the correct way to operate equipment from a teacher who has worked in the pharmaceutical industry. In summer 2013 our labs unwent a full rennovation and are now of the highest standard in any school.

About the Head of Chemistry

Alan Mc Donnell is the Head of Chemistry at Shimna Integrated College. He administers all A-level chemistry lessons and teaches many lessons at GCSE and KS3. Alan began his career working in precision engineering. He returned to university to compliment his engineering background with an Honours Degree in Applied Chemistry. After graduating Alan studied for a Higher Diploma in Education in the National University of Ireland, Galway and completed his teacher training in County Galway. On completion of this course Alan began work in Élan Pharmaceuticals Ltd as a laboratory analyst. It is here that he gained the lab skills that he shares with his class. He started his teaching career in Passmores School and Technology College in Essex, England before moving to Shimna in 2008.

About our A-level Courses:

The Chemistry department administers its course using the AQA exam board. Students complete three modules in AS, one of which is an investigative skills assessment (ISA). In this unit students are tested on their lab skills and then subsequently tested on knowledge from their course. Written modules are examined in May/June, in accordance with recent exam board changes.

In A2 students complete modules 4, 5 and 6. Again, in a similar format to AS, students complete a module, unit 6, which is an ISA. Our department prides itself in ensuring students are prepared for their module exams.

Welcome to the

Chemistry Department

Webpage.

By studying Chemistry students can open up a wide range of careers that offer both a rewarding and innovative occupation and one that will be in demand regardless of the economical situation. Chemistry is key to many fascinating careers but requires hard work and a willingness to learn.

When a student considers if they would like to study Chemistry at A level they should consider the following:

Have they a career in mind that is science based?

Have they an acceptable level of mathematical skills?

Do they enjoy laboratory practical work?

Can they focus on attention to detail?

Can they consider areas that may not be easy to visualise?

Do they enjoy problem solving and working with graphs/tables of data?

Shimna Chemistry Department

At Shimna Integrated College we offer the opportunity to study AS and A2 chemistry. Our department provides strong support to the students with a healthy balance of theory and practical activities. Students studying the course participate in numerous lab practicals that are specifically aimed to consolidate learning in class. The activities focus on applying the students understanding and developing key lab skills required for a future career in the sciences. Chemistry is a popular choice at A-level in Shimna, with the class being oversubscribed again this year.

Students are very keen and regularly volunteer for extracurricular activities. During open day our A-level students showcase some of their advanced level practicals. Students are keen to demonstrate their new skills to visitors and are rightly proud of their success.

A2 chemistry students run a mentoring programme where they set aside one hour per week to tutor AS students through areas of difficulty. In addition several A- level students run an after school chemistry club which is very popular with KS3 and 4 students alike. The club is regularly oversubscribed.

About the Department.

The department runs courses in small, well managed classes. Classes are all ability, but there is a provision that students can demonstrate the required skills to participate successfully. Students are set homework on a daily basis to assist them in their learning. Staff use an online virtual learning centre to provide support materials which are designed to aid the learner prepare for exams. Regular contact is maintained by school email between students and their teacher.

The chemistry lab is well resourced with high quality lessons, chemistry software packages that provide enhanced learning activities and an ever growing collection of chemistry lab apparatus. Our department has a class set of laptops which are linked to our wireless broadband. Students learn the correct way to operate equipment from a teacher who has worked in the pharmaceutical industry. In summer 2013 our labs unwent a full rennovation and are now of the highest standard in any school.

About the Head of Chemistry

Alan Mc Donnell is the Head of Chemistry at Shimna Integrated College. He administers all A-level chemistry lessons and teaches many lessons at GCSE and KS3. Alan began his career working in precision engineering. He returned to university to compliment his engineering background with an Honours Degree in Applied Chemistry. After graduating Alan studied for a Higher Diploma in Education in the National University of Ireland, Galway and completed his teacher training in County Galway. On completion of this course Alan began work in Élan Pharmaceuticals Ltd as a laboratory analyst. It is here that he gained the lab skills that he shares with his class. He started his teaching career in Passmores School and Technology College in Essex, England before moving to Shimna in 2008.

About our A-level Courses:

The Chemistry department administers its course using the AQA exam board. Students complete three modules in AS, one of which is an investigative skills assessment (ISA). In this unit students are tested on their lab skills and then subsequently tested on knowledge from their course. Written modules are examined in May/June, in accordance with recent exam board changes.

In A2 students complete modules 4, 5 and 6. Again, in a similar format to AS, students complete a module, unit 6, which is an ISA. Our department prides itself in ensuring students are prepared for their module exams.

STEM is an initiative that seeks to promote careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. At Shimna we are keen to promote study in these areas. We invite quests from universities and businesses to attend the college and speak with our students. Visits to open days and industry are integrated into the course. With the government projecting a significant shortfall in graduates in these areas there is no better time to consider a chemistry career.

Where do our graduates go?

Our chemistry students have taken up places in numerous locations. Some opt for HND courses, some study for BSc. or BSc. with Masters add ons.

STEM is an initiative that seeks to promote careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. At Shimna we are keen to promote study in these areas. We invite quests from universities and businesses to attend the college and speak with our students. Visits to open days and industry are integrated into the course. With the government projecting a significant shortfall in graduates in these areas there is no better time to consider a chemistry career.

Where do our graduates go?

Our chemistry students have taken up places in numerous locations. Some opt for HND courses, some study for BSc. or BSc. with Masters add ons.

The destinations of these students include:

Manchester Met: Chemistry

Herriott Watt : Science Degree

University of Hull: Chemistry with Nanotechnology

Belfast Met: HND in Chemistry

Durham University: Engineering

Chemistry notices

upcoming events:

Our school year is in full swing. PSA practicals are taking place within lesson time, and attendance is important for these. Our A2-AS parents evening is in our first term this year and we look forward to meeting with the parents/guardians of our students.

Dates:

14th November 2013 A-level Parents evening

ongoing: PSA assessments

upcoming events:

Our school year is in full swing. PSA practicals are taking place within lesson time, and attendance is important for these. Our A2-AS parents evening is in our first term this year and we look forward to meeting with the parents/guardians of our students.

Dates:

14th November 2013 A-level Parents evening

ongoing: PSA assessments

FACEBOOK LINK

Shimna Chemistry Department is now on Facebook. To view some of our fun demonstrations, look at some of our pictures or to keep updated just follow the link and LIKE our page.